Flexible key case



Jan. 11,1927. 1,613,760

' C. LORBER FLEXIBLE KEY CASE Filed Jan- 5. 1926 INVENTOR CILorber ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES CHARLES LORBER, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

FLEXIBLE KEY CASE.

Application filed January 5, 1926. Serial No. 79,311.

The main object of this invention is to provide a key case which may be inserted into a pocket which will conform to the variations in curvature while in the pocket. This is accomplished by providing complete flexibility of the parts constituting the key case.

Another object is to provide a key case with an additional flap foldable over upon the key case proper and having space thereon for identification purposes.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below, in which characters of reference refer to like-named parts in the drawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure l is a front elevational view of the key case, showing the cover flaps in partly open position.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the key ease, showing the same Completely open with the identification flap thrown back to expose the keys.

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view, showing the manner of mounting the key rings in place on the key case.

Figure 4 is an end elevational View, showing the means of suspending the key ring from its supporting element.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates the back of the key case. The back has integrally formed therewith a pair of side flaps 11 and 12 which are provided with cooperating interlocking clasp buttons 13. The upper end edge of the back has a flap 14 integral therewith which is foldable in either direction and has an area thereon which is left blank, the opposite face of this flap being provided with aframe 15 in which an identification card 16 may be inserted. This frame and identification card is securely stitched or otherwise secured at the lower end of the flap 14 and the space 17 above this frame 15 is used for advertising matter. At the upper end of the flap 10, a sleeve 18, consisting of some flexible material such as leather, is mounted. This sleeve is circular in cross section, having its ends 19 extending downwardly, these ends being fixed to the surface of the back 10 by several rows of stitching 20. The sleeve is provided with slots 21 at spaced apart distances thru which the stems 22 of key rings are inserted. Within the body of the sleeve, a coil spring 23 is secured. This spring has coils which are closely wound, one coil lying in intimate relation with its adjacent coil and at intermediate positions, spaces 24 are provided by spreading adjoining coils apart. These spaces 24 occur where the slots 21 are situated. The head 25 forming the upper part of the stems 22 of the key rings are slipped into place in these spaces 24 by spreading coils on both sides of the spaces apart. These coils on both sides of the spaces form a shoulder from which the entire key ring is suspended thru slots 21 of the sleeve and hang vertically from the point of securement. The key rings comprise a stem which hangs vertically downward and at its lower end, a semi-circular loop 26 is formed. At the opposite end of the loop, an extension 27 projects vertically upward for a distance slightly over half the length of the stem and then is formed into a downwardly projecting semi-circular loop 28 whose end lies adjacent to and in contact with the stem 22, as illustrated in Figure 4.

The key case illustrated herein is provided with all the advantages of the ordinary type and may be inexpensively fabricated. The key rings may be inserted into their respective spaces 2A by spreading the coils which adjoin these spaces apart or the stems may be inserted from the ends of the coil spring .23, twisting the stems rotatively about the spring until it enters the particular space desired. The lower ends of the key rings may be then slipped thru the slots 21 and the sleeve formed by folding the member 18 about the spring. The tabs or ends 19 of the sleeve may then be fastened to the back 10 of the key case by rows of stitching 20. A key case of this type permits the key rings to be rotated about the axis of the stem 22 and also permits said stems to be rotated about the axis of the spring for a distance of 180 degrees from a suspended position shown in Figure 2 to a position where the ends of the key rings will protrude or project over the upper edge of the back 10 when the flap 17 has been thrown over or folded rearwardly. The advertising matter and the identification card and frame are formed upon the surface 17 and as this surface never comes in contact with the keys suspended from the key rings, these elements will never become scratched or marred.

As obvious modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, I desire to cover such changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim i 1. In a key case, a flexible back having side flaps integral therewitln an additional fiap adapted to fold over upon the back and lie when folded between the flaps and the back, said additional fiap having a space for advertising matter. an identification card and frame mounted on said additional flap beneath the space, a flexible sleeve stitched to said back, key rings, a hclically wound coiled spring having a hollow bore mounted in said sleeve, said sleeve having slots therein, heads on said key rings, said heads shouldering between the coils of said sprin 2. In a key case a flexible back having side flaps integral therewith an additional flap adapted to fold over upon the back and lie when folded between the flaps and the back, said additional flap having a space for advertising matter, an identification card and frame mounted on said additional flap beneath the space, a flexible sleeve stitched to said back, key rings, a linear and transversely flexible coiled spring mounted in said sleeve, said sleeve having slots therein, heads on said key rings, said heads seating upon adjacent coils of said spring, said spring having spaces formed by spreading adjoining coils of said springs at positions aligned with the slots in the sleeve, the heads of said key rings being adapted to be inserted into said spaces when the coils inboth sides of said spaces have been spread apart.

In testimony whereol I ElffiX my signature.

CHARLES LORBER. 

